ATTT Driving Theory key terms

The priority a road user has to proceed while others must wait or yield. It is set by signs, markings, signals and general rules, and must still be given up to avoid a collision.

To slow or stop and let other traffic pass before continuing. Failing to yield when required is a common cause of intersection and merging collisions and is treated as a traffic offence.

A road whose traffic has right of way over vehicles entering from side roads. It is marked by priority-road signs and by warning signs that tell side-road drivers they must yield.

A junction with no signs, markings or working signals directing traffic. Drivers normally yield to traffic approaching from the right, and to vehicles already inside the junction.

A circular junction where traffic already circulating has priority and entering drivers yield. Drivers signal on exit, keep to the correct lane, and never stop inside the circulating carriageway.

Keeping to the correct lane for your direction and intended turn, changing lanes only when safe and signalled, and not straddling markings. Poor lane discipline causes side-swipe crashes and blocks other road users.

Passing a slower road user travelling in the same direction. It is allowed only where sight distance and markings permit, and only when you can complete the manoeuvre without forcing others to change speed or course.

The gap kept behind the vehicle ahead so you can stop if it brakes suddenly. A common guide is at least two seconds in good conditions, increased in rain, at night or when loaded.

The total distance a vehicle travels from the moment a hazard is seen until it comes to rest. It combines thinking (reaction) distance and braking distance and grows sharply with speed.

The delay between noticing a hazard and acting on it, typically around one second. Tiredness, alcohol, distraction and some medicines lengthen it, increasing the distance covered before braking begins.

Following another vehicle too closely for the speed and conditions. It removes the time needed to react, intimidates the driver ahead and is a frequent factor in rear-end collisions and penalty offences.

Loss of tyre contact with the road when water builds up under the tread. Steering and braking become ineffective, so you should ease off the accelerator, avoid hard braking and hold the wheel steady.

Loss of grip in which the tyres slide rather than roll. The usual response is to stop braking or accelerating, steer smoothly in the direction you want to go and avoid sudden inputs until grip returns.

The area around a vehicle that mirrors do not show. Drivers must check it by turning the head before changing lanes, and should avoid lingering in another vehicle's blind spot.

Looking in the interior and side mirrors before signalling, changing speed, turning or opening a door. Mirrors reduce but do not remove blind spots, so a shoulder check is also needed.

Anything that takes attention away from driving, such as phones, screens, eating or passengers. Even brief glances away at speed cover long distances and are a leading cause of preventable crashes.

Tiredness that slows reactions, worsens judgement and can cause micro-sleeps at the wheel. The only real remedy is to stop and rest; fresh air, music and coffee are temporary at best.

Driving so that you anticipate other people's mistakes and keep space and time to react. It means looking well ahead, planning escape routes and never assuming others will obey the rules.

The skill of spotting developing risks early, such as a pedestrian near the kerb or a car edging out of a junction. Early recognition buys time to slow gently rather than brake hard.

A road user with little protection in a collision, including pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists and children. Drivers owe them extra care, more space and lower speeds, especially near schools and crossings.

Watching for riders, who are harder to see and judge in speed and distance than cars. Always check mirrors and blind spots before turning or pulling out, and give riders a full lane width.

A marked place where people on foot have priority once they are on or stepping onto it. Drivers must approach at a speed that lets them stop and must never overtake a vehicle stopped at a crossing.

A pedestrian crossing marked by broad alternating light and dark stripes across the road. Drivers must give way to people waiting or crossing and must not park on or near the stripes.

A continuous painted line along the centre or edge of the carriageway that must not be crossed. A single solid centre line bans overtaking; a solid edge line marks the road boundary.

A dashed painted line that may be crossed when it is safe and legal to do so, for example to overtake or change lanes. It guides traffic rather than forbidding movement.

Painted lines and arrows that separate lanes, show turn directions and mark special areas such as bus lanes or hatched zones. Ignoring them causes sideswipes and turn-path collisions.

An octagonal red sign requiring a complete stop at the marked line or before the junction. You must stop even when the road looks clear, then yield to traffic before moving off.

An inverted triangular sign telling drivers to give way to traffic on the road they are joining or crossing. You slow or stop as needed and proceed only when it is clearly safe.

A signal controlling traffic with red, amber and green lamps, sometimes with arrows. Red means stop, green means proceed only if the way is clear, and amber means stop unless it is unsafe to do so.

Hand and arm signals given by a police officer or authorised warden directing traffic. Their instructions override signs and lights, so drivers must obey them immediately and carefully.

The maximum legal speed on a stretch of road, shown on signs or set by general rules. It is a ceiling for ideal conditions, not a target, and must be reduced in rain, fog or heavy traffic.

The fine, licence points or other sanction imposed for exceeding the speed limit. Penalties usually increase with the amount over the limit and can include suspension for repeat or extreme offences.

Points added to a driver's record for traffic offences. Accumulating a set number within a period can lead to a warning, suspension or loss of licence, so records should be checked regularly.

The official document permitting a person to drive a stated category of vehicle. It must be valid, carried when required and matched to the vehicle driven, and it can be endorsed or withdrawn.

The official record linking a vehicle and its number plate to an owner. It must be kept current, and plates must be clean, correctly fitted and never altered or obscured.

Proof that a vehicle carries at least the minimum legally required cover. Driving without valid insurance is an offence, and the certificate or policy details may be requested after a collision.

A periodic inspection of brakes, lights, steering, tyres and emissions to confirm a vehicle is safe and legal. A current pass is normally required to keep the vehicle on the road.

The depth of the grooves cut into a tyre, which clears water and maintains grip. Worn tread lengthens braking distance and raises aquaplaning risk, so tyres must be checked and replaced in time.

The amount of air inside a tyre, set by the manufacturer for load and conditions. Wrong pressure harms grip, wear and fuel use, so it should be checked cold and adjusted before long trips.

The components that slow and stop the vehicle, including pads, discs, fluid and lines. Soft pedals, pulling or noise mean it needs prompt inspection, since brakes are the main safety system.

A system that rapidly releases and reapplies brake pressure to stop wheels locking. It preserves steering during hard braking; the pedal may pulse, and you should keep firm pressure rather than pump it.

The grip between tyres and road surface that allows steering, braking and acceleration. It falls on wet, icy, oily or gravelly surfaces, so speed and inputs must be reduced to match.

The restraint that holds occupants in place during sudden braking or impact. It must be worn by the driver and passengers, with children in suitable restraints, and is a legal requirement in most jurisdictions.

A seat or booster designed for a child's size and age, fitted according to the manufacturer's instructions. It keeps the belt across strong bones and greatly reduces injury in a crash.

The record of a crash, often required by police or insurers, giving time, place, parties and damage. It supports claims and investigations, so details should be written down accurately at the scene.

Making an incident location safe before helping, by warning traffic, switching off engines and avoiding smoke or fire. Rescuers who become casualties add to the emergency and delay professional help.

Contacting ambulance, police or fire services with a clear location, number of casualties and hazards. Stay on the line, follow instructions and send someone to guide responders if possible.

A stable side-lying posture for an unconscious person who is breathing, keeping the airway open and allowing fluids to drain. It is used when spinal injury is not suspected and help is on the way.

Chest compressions, with rescue breaths if trained, used when a person is unresponsive and not breathing normally. Push hard and fast in the centre of the chest and continue until help arrives.

Heavy blood loss from a wound, which can become life-threatening quickly. Apply firm direct pressure with a clean pad, keep pressing, and call emergency services while monitoring the casualty.